LOUISE. What are you muttering about? Come here and sit by my side. Last week I received flowers from an old gentleman, an old gentleman. At least that is what the girl said. He sent them for my shoulders, mind you. You see, he had seen my shoulders. Please sit down. That's why he sent me flowers--[_extending her hand_] and this ring came with them. Look! [_Van der Elst has taken a seat. She thrusts her hand before his face._] It's the thin one. VAN ELST. Madam, I didn't come for this frivolity. LOUISE. What would you give if you could kiss me? [_Van Elst coughs and fumbles with his handkerchief._] LOUISE. Do you know what I suspect? I suspect that you are the old gentleman in question. VAN ELST [_getting up in high dudgeon_]. Madam, I consider that accusation entirely improper, in view of the fact that I am a respectable married man. I want you to know that I keep out of these things. My reputation is above reproach. Do you intend to listen to me or not? LOUISE. Don't shout so. VAN ELST. Do you talk this way always? You amaze me. LOUISE [_smiling_]. I suspect you are the gentleman with the pretty touch about my shoulders. Well, sit down. Is he gone? Are you gone? VAN ELST [_stepping forwardly boldly_]. I am still here. This is positively the last time I'll ask you to listen to me. I assure you, my patience is nearly exhausted. Your father and mother, your family have asked me to bring the following to your notice. Your present conduct has caused a great scandal. You've left your family for a man who is too far above you socially ever to make you his wife. Consequently, you have become his mistress. LOUISE. Eh? VAN ELST. I'm not through yet. Your father and mother have requested me to ask you to come back home. They await you with open arms. LOUISE. Don't be silly. Sit down. VAN ELST. Oh, it's useless. LOUISE [_incoherently_]. Will you promise to tell me? VAN ELST. I suppose I'll have to wait. [_He sits down in utter despair._] LOUISE [_goes up to him unsteadily, groping for the arm of the chair. With a laugh_]. Tell me, which one was it. This shoulder or this one? Ah, aren't you clever! You're the old gentleman, aren't you, you old duck? VAN ELST. A useless commission. Poor parents! LOUISE. What's that? The joke's on me. VAN ELST. Next she'll ask me to dance with her, I suppose. LOUISE. Dance? No dancing. Don't get up. You needn't get up. I don't mean it ... really, I don't. [_Louise sits in front of the harp and runs her fingers idly over the strings. Then slowly, she plays the same melody she hummed previously. She hums it again dreamily. The music grows softer and softer. She sighs, stops playing, her head drops to her hands and she falls limply to the floor._] VAN ELST. Good God, what's this? It wasn't my fault. I suppose I was cruel to her. [_Walks excitedly back and forth. Sophie enters._] SOPHIE. What's the matter? VAN ELST. Look at your mistress. I can't make out what's wrong with her.